The Shah Nameh (Translated By James Atkinson, ESQ.) (Poem), JEMSHÌD

 

JEMSHÌD

Jemshíd was eminently distinguished for learning and wisdom. It is said that coats of mail, cuirasses, and swords, and various kinds of armour, were invented and manufactured in his time, and also that garments of silk were made and worn by his people.

Helmets and swords, with curious art they made,

Guided by Jemshíd's skill; and silks and linen

And robes of fur and ermine. Desert lands

Were cultivated; and wherever stream

Or rivulet wandered, and the soil was good,

He fixed the habitations of his people;

And there they ploughed and reaped: for in that age

All laboured; none in sloth and idleness

Were suffered to remain, since indolence

Too often vanquished the best, and turns

To nought the noblest, firmest resolution.

Jemshíd afterwards commanded his Demons to construct a splendid palace, and he directed his people how to make the foundations strong.

He taught the unholy Demon-train to mingle

Water and clay, with which, formed into bricks,

The walls were built, and then high turrets, towers,

And balconies, and roofs to keep out rain

And cold, and sunshine. Every art was known

To Jemshíd, without equal in the world.

    He also made vessels for the sea and the river, and erected a magnificent throne, embellished with pearls and precious stones; and having seated himself upon it, commanded his Demons to raise him up in the air, that he might be able to transport himself in a moment wherever he chose. He named the first day of the year Nú-rúz, and on every Nú-rúz he made a royal feast, so that under his hospital roof, mortals, and Genii, and Demons, and Peris, were delighted and happy, every one being equally regaled with wine and music. His government is said to have continued in existence seven hundred years, and during that period, it is added, none of his subjects suffered death, or were afflicted with disease. 

Man seemed  immortal, sickness was unknown,

And life rolled on in happiness and joy.

    After the lapse of seven hundred years, however, inordinate ambition inflamed the heart of Jemshíd, and, having assembled all the illustrious personages and learned men in his dominions before him, he said to them:—"Thou art alone, the mightiest, the most victorious: there is no equal to thee!" The just God beheld this foolish pride and vanity with displeasure, and, as a punishment, cast him from the government of an empire into a state of utter degradation and misery.

All looked upon the throne, and heard and saw

Nothing but Jemshíd, he alone was king,

Absorbing every thought; and in their praise,

And adoration of that mortal man,

Forgot the worship of the great Creator.

Then proudly thus he to his nobles spoke,

Intoxicated with their loud applause,

"I am unequalled, for to me the earth

Owes all its science, driving, from the populous land

Disease and want. Domestic joy and rest

Proceed from me, all that is good and great, 

Waits my behest; the universal voice

Declares the splendour of my government,

Beyond whatever human heart conceived, 

And me the only monarch of the world."

—Soon as these words had parted from his lips,

Words impious, and insulting to high heaven,

His earthly grandeur faded,—then all tongues

Grew clamorous and bold. The day of Jemshíd

Passed into gloom, his brightness all obscured.

What said the moralist? "When thou wert a king

Thy subjects were obedient, but whoever

Proudly neglects the worship of his God, 

Brings desolation on his house and home."

—And when he marked the insolence of his people,

He knew the wrath of Heaven had been provoked,

And terror overcame him.